The idea is so great, I just had to re-visit it, so I sent out the call to our contributor Alli to help me freshen it up a bit and, as usual, she didn’t disappoint. And now me and my nearly 2-year-old are ready to go!

Such a simple toy. And the simplest toys are usually the best. Know why?

Because they’re unexpected fun. Beach balls are kind of a novelty when brought indoors so they seem to draw kids in.

They are also a great way to help those kids burn off some energy.

We’ve noticed, though, that after a while even the most enthusiastic kiddos can get bored (or it goes the other way, things get a little out of hand and a lamp or two is sacrificed in the process). But it doesn’t have to be that way – just by adding a little structure and creativity, a once simple toy becomes one big ball of fun.

If you’re stuck inside, grab a beach ball(or any large bouncy ball for that matter) and try any one of these games to not only pass the time, but challenge your kids to get up and get moving.

1. Letter/Color Smash: (Gross Motor Skills, Letter/Color Recognition)

Use colored construction paper to write letters and attach to any wall/door. The older your children are, the more complicated you can make it (using sight words, the answers to math equations, etc.).

My kiddos are 1 and 4, so I stuck with letters and kept them at an appropriate height.

Draw a line on the floor using masking tape, then have them aim the ball at the letters or colors as you call them out.

2. Blanket Toss:(Teamwork, Silly Fun)

Have each child hold the corners of a sheet or blanket.

Place the beach ball on top of the blanket and instruct them to bounce it as high as it will go, then catch it on the blanket.

See how many times they can catch it in a row before it hits the ground.

Have your children stand at a tossing distance, and toss the ball back and forth.

As each child catches the ball, they make an animal sound. The key is: no sounds can be repeated!

This game gets really silly, really fast (once they start to run out of noises).

4. Beach Basketball:(Gross Motor Skills, Hand-Eye Coordination)

Grab an empty laundry hamper and set it across the room.

Using your masking tape, draw a line on the floor at an appropriate distance per age.

Then set a timer and see how many baskets they can make in a minute. Hint: the timer really makes this game! Suddenly a simple game of basketball becomes a frenzied time challenge, which makes for loads of fun.

5. Beach Ball Bowling:(Gross Motor Skills, Silly Fun)

Choose a hallway (the walls serve as natural bumpers) and set up your bowling pins. This is the part where you can get creative. The pins should be light, since the ball is light, but other than that…the world is your oyster.

We used some empty cereal boxes that I’d been saving but water bottles would also work really well. Then just try to get that strike!

Success! Now check your email to get your "stick-it-on-the-fridge" reference list of meal ideas for your 1-year-old. (Hint: I use it for my 2, 5, and 7-year-old kiddos too!) And don't forget, you can always get all the recipes here: https://modernparentsmessykids.com/30-dinner-ideas-1-year-old/

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